Combined side-bearing and lateral-motion device



Jan. 24, 1928. 657,327

. T. H. SYMINGTON COMBINED SIDE BEARING AND LATERAL MOTION DEVICE Filed March 22. 1927 y i if w I q Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

UNITED, STATES 1,657,327 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS H. SYMINGTON, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIG'NOB TO T. H. SYMINGTON 62 SUN, INC OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAIID, A. CORPORATION OF MARYLAND.

COMBINED SIDE-BEARING AND LATERAL-FICTION DEVICE.

Application filed March 22, 1927. Serial No. 177,286.

lhc invention relates to railway truck bolsters, particularly to side bearing structures therefor. y

The principal object of the invention, generally stated, is to provide a truck bolster designed particularly for use under those circumstances wherein the body bolster is sustained upon side bearings, the center plate and center bearing-having clearance permitting relative longitudinal movement of the truck and body bolsters, ordinarily called lateral motion, as Well as the usual swiveling action.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a truck bolster havingembodied therein a side bearing structure permitting the necessary swiveling action of the truck and body bolsters and at the same time so mounted as to permit rocking during lateral motion of truclr bolster.

Another object of the invention is to provide a truclr bolster With a single unitary structure at each end fulfilling the purposes both of side bearings and lateral motion de- 5 vices.

" ment other than vertical as thetruclr springs are compressed or relieved during car travel, the truclr bolster having embodied therein a side bearingestructure movable in two directions, one for. permitting relative swiveling oi the truck and body bolsters and the other for permitting longitudinal movement of the body bolster with respect to the truck bolster, or lateral motion, this latter mentioned feature hemp; of great advantage, especially when a train is rounding: a curve. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a truck bolster and combined side bearing and lateral motion device permitr ting free movement of the body bolster With respect to the truck bolster, the parts being consequently able to accommodate themselves to whatever conditions or circumstances may arise Without anylpossible binding. u I

Still another object of the invention is to provide a side bearing structure for a truck bolster located Within a pocket in the hol ster so as not to project beyond the top tl'iereo'l' to an excessive extent, the side bearing structure having its uppermost and lowermost bearing surfaces of peculiar formation to insure free movement in substantially any direction to meet thedemands of the occasion or changes in the conditionswhich occur during car travel.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a side bearing structure having means for taking up Wear which may occur as the result of service, this take-up feature being oi importance as eliminating or at least rendering it possible to eliminate any undue looseness or laclrqof cooperation of co-acting surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined side bearing and lateral motion device which may be assembled as a complete unit ready for future installation Within a suitably constructed bolster, the parts being, moreover, of such form and being arranged in such relation that disasseciation in use will be impossible.

The invention further contemplates the provision of various other details in regard to structure which will render the assembly simple and inexpensive to make, easy toin stall, positive in action, efiicient and durable till in service, and a general improvement in the art.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects and advantages, the invention preferably consists in the construction, co1n bination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanyinc; drawings in Whichi Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section through one end portion of abbolster showing my bearing structure, n combination therewith and in operative relation to the body bolster. u

lli 'ure 9- 1s a detail section showin a v i L w modified construction of the bottom. I Fl me 3 1s a detail end elcvatlon of one i b i 4;

ot the rockable members at an end of bllG roller. M r v Fio'ure ,4 71s adetail elevation of the bearmg memoer at thesame end of the roller.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates generally,

the bolster which may be of more or less conventional design in some respects so as to be capable of replacing one of standard pattern and Without necessitating any modifications in the construction of the side frames or other truck parts. This holster has its ends formed with extensions 2 adapted to operate within the window openings of the truck side flfitllls and it is provided centrally witha centerl'icaring 3 for the reception of the center plate l carried by the body holster 5, the intention heine f to provide clearance between the center plate and center hearing so as to permit not only relative swiveling inotion olithe body and trucltholsters but also relatijve longitudinal movement. or in other words, lateral motion. The bodyholst r 5 has depending therefrom anyordinary or p eterred bearing element 6 adapted to cooperate with the side bearing structure to he descrihed. It will he ohserved that thehody holster. center plate and hearing neinherti are rather diarnetri cally shown asthe w'lorni no real part of the present invention.

In carrying out ithe invention. the truck holsterl is formed near each end 'with a pocket 7 which defined between the sides 8 of the bolster, a dowi'iwardij oll'z et bottom wall antlend walls wand 11. The depth of this pocket, as well as its other dimensions lnay of course, be varied, depending upon the contemplated size of the side hearing; structure to he installed therein, this in turn being governed greatly by the character of the car to be equipped with the invention and the loads itis proposed to handle. The bottom wall Qofthe pocket is shown as formed atsubstantially its center with a socketor recess 12 within which is mounted a hearing plate 13, it being preferable that a shim .or shi ns l4 heinterposedbeneath this hearing plate so that the height thereof may be varied for adjusting purposes. The confronting faces otthe walls and ll are hereshown as formed with inwardly extendingguide webs 15 having their confrontingdaces 16 curved and preferablyconcentric with the center point of the hearing: plate 13. all for a purpose to he explained hereinafter.

The side hearing structure a unit is designated by the numeral 17 and preferably comprises a bottom hearing member 18 located within the lower portion of the pocket between the webs 15 aiuljprovided at its undersur facc with a partially cylindrical hearing portion 19 having a radius in excess of that or a cylinder whose diameter is equalto the distance between bean ing' surfaces 1 3 and 27, this portion '19 heing engaged upon the hearing plate 13 and adapted to rock thereon. The. topsurt'ace.

of the member 18 is preferably inclinedas shown {11220, to form a. seat for aprefcn ably frustoconical or tapered roller 21. and ZIlS IliS opposite endsthe member 18 s formed with reduced extensions 22 of any desired Engaged turn upon thcroller 21 is an lower surface 24 of the same pitch as the roller. This member 2-3 is formed at its top with a soclzet or recessilfi for the cc-eption of the bearing element (5 which depends from the body holster and the surface or wall 26 of this recess is convex and formed preferably as a section of a. cylinder whose radius may he the same or Vary with the construction of the contour it) so as to have rockingengagement with the tin t hottoul surface 27 ot? the hearing clement. it. The up er arms 30 and 31 which possess man Cllttl'- acteristics in common in that each is provided at its ends with notches 39 and 33 to;- engagement upon the reduced extensions E22 and 29 of the bottom and top hearing menu hers 18 and :23, respectively. Howcron the rocker arm 30 has a cylindrical huh phrtion i'l-tl substantially fitting within asiruilar openine; 35 in the larger or outer end oi the roller, whereas the rocker Ell has a huh portion 36 which is. angular in cross scetirni and received within a correspondingly shaped recess 37 in the inner or Sllltlllflt' end of the roller. Roth rockers and the roller are held in assembled relation hy snitahle securingelements such asthe rivet 38 which passes axially through the roller and through the huh portions Stand 36 of the rockers, the hub portion" i 'ltl belllfl prefer ahly recessed at its outer tare. its-illustrated at 39 to acconuhodate either the head or upset end ll) oi the rivet so asto :U'Ultliltuting it project. C

@For taking: up wear. I ln'e'lerahly nialre use of a l carini n'ieinher ell, shown in detail in Figure 4. which nielnher inchufles a foot portion. i2 having a. convex .iuipcr sin-tare 42-} from which .15 a plate portion l-l. This hearing:nicniher is located lurtn'wulhc rocker 31 and theroller 21. the loot pin-lion d2 fitting: within a siniilar recess 4:) in the and the adpicentwall i ortionoij the upper hearing n'iemher 253.

As. mentioned above. it is intended that the entire side hearing assembly l? he capahle ot' rocking inovernent land it oi course necessary to provide means for preventing actual displacement ot the assembly. for which reason the ends of nieniher are till loo

confined longitudinally by the walls 8 of the bolster 1.

In Figure 2 which disclosesan alternate method for preventing displacement of the bottom bearing on the longitudinal axis of the bolster, projections 46 at the sides of cylindrical surfaces 19 coact with projections or guides l7 extending from the floor 9 of the bolster. The contour of these cooperating projections is such thatfree rocking of the assembly 17 in the direction of the longitudiual axis ofthe bolster is permitted without disengagement of projections 46 and 4:7.

In the peration of the device it will be seen that the load is of course sustained by the side bearing assembly at each end of the bolster. It will be noted that only one side bearing structure is shown as it would be duplicated at the other end of the bolster. Whenever there is any tendency toward relative swiveling movement of the body and truck bolsters, the bearing element 6 depending from the body bolsters and engaging within the recess 25 will cause the hear ing member 28 to move laterally of the truck bolster and as the reduced extensions 29 are engaged within the notches at the upper ends of the rockers 30 and 31, the roller or rocker 21 will be caused to rotate through the medium of projections 34 and 36 of the rockers 30 and 31. In view of the fact that the rocker 31 is provided with the angular extension 36 fitting within the angular socket 37 in the roller, the roller will be maintained in a constant position as regards the rocker, or in other words centered between the surface 20 and 24 of the lower and-upper bearing member-st Whenever there is any tendency for the development of lateral mo tion as bound to occur frequently during car service, the entire side bearing assembly 17 will rock upon the bearing plate 13, the roller being inactive at such a time. Ordinarily, the lateral motion and the swiveling motion will probably occur atthe same,

time but this combination is well taken care of owin to universal movement of which the side frame is capable. Owing to the fact that the surfaces 16 of the guide webs 15 are curved to conform to the pathof movement of the extensions under the conditions, there will be no interference with the action.

As stated above the radius of the surfaces 19 and 2G is greater than one-half the distance between the s rfaces 27 and 13. This being the case, the centers of these 'adiido not coincide but are eccentric. This is. a very important feature for the reason that owing to this condition one side of thecar will be lifted when lateral motion occurs, thus automatically exerting a banking action and counteracting any tendency toward the development of car roll or side sway.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent it i that I have provided a very simply constructed and easily installed unitary bearing structure which performs the functions of a side bearing and a lateral motion device, it being clear that there will be no necessity whatsoever for providing any lateral motion device either of the usual type or any other applied either at or near the side frames or at any other location, the single bearing device of the invention being amply suflicient to take care of all conditions. In case of wear more shims 14 or thicker ones may be inserted beneath the bearing memher or platevltl. A take-up at this location willrestore all parts to their normal relative positions even after prolonged service. It is really believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

lVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is simply illustrative of the principles involve-d and the possibilitiesexisting and that the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as well as the arrangement and combination of parts as will Widen the held of utilityland increase the adaptability of the device, provided, however, such variations constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or 'the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the claim:

1. In combination with a body bolster invention, 1

ments thereon, a truck bolster having acenter bearing with lateral clearance for said center plate and formed near each end with a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing as sembly within each pocket comprising a bottom bearing member mounted for rocking movementlongitudinally of the truck bolster, a roller traveling upon said bottom bearing member, and a top bearing member engaged by the roller and having a socket receiving the depending side bearing element carried by the body bolster.

2. In combination with a body bolster having a center plate and side bearing elements thereon, a truck bolster having a conter bearing with clearance for said center plate and formed near each end with a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing assembly within each pocket comprising a bottom bearing member mounted for rocking movement longitudinally of the truck bolster, a roller traveling upon said bottom bearing member, a top bearing member engaged by depending side bearing element carried by the body bolster, and means at the opposite ends of the rollers operatively engaged with the upper and lowerbearing members.

having a center plateand sidebearing elethe roller and having a socket receiving the In combination with a body bolster hav ing a center plate and side bearing elements thereon, a truck bolster having a center bearing; with clearance forsaid center plate and formed near each end with a pocket, a

load sustaining side bearing assembly within each pocket comprising a bottom bearing member mounted for rocking movement longitudinally of the truck bolster, a roller traveling upon said bottom bearing member,

a top bearing: men'iber engaged by the roller and having a socket receiving'the depending side bearing element carried by the body bolster, and rocking members at the OPPO', site ends of the rollers operative-1y engaged with the upper, and lower bearing members.

4.. In combination with a body bolster having a center plate and side bearing elements thereon, a truck bolster having a center bearing with clearance for said center plate and formed near each end with a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing assembly within each pocket comprising: a bottom bearing member mounted for rocking movement longitudinally of the truck bolster, a roller traveling upon said bottom bearing member, a top bearing member engaged by the. roller and having a socket receiving the depending side bearing element carried by the body. bolster, and rocker members at the opposite ends of the rollers operatively engaged with the upper and lower bearing members, one rocker member being fixed with respect to the roller.

5. In combination with a body bolsterliaving depending side bearing elements a truck bolster providednear each end with a pocket, a load snstaining side bearing; assembly within each pocket comprising a bottom. bearing member mounted for rocking movement on the bottom of the pocket longitudi nally of the truck holster, atop bearing member having' a socket receiving theidepending. side bearing element on the body bolster, and a rollermonnted between said top and bottom bearing members and movable with respect thereto. y p i 6, In combination witha bodybolster having depending side bearing elements, a truck bolster. provided ncarcach end with a pecket. a load sustainingside bearingassembly within i each pocket comprising a bottom bearing; member nmuntcd for rocking Inovcment on the bottom of the pocket longitudinally of the bolster. a top bearing member.

having a socket receiving the .dependh s: side bearing; elcn'ient on the body bol er, thebottom of said socket beinaeurred to permit rocking, a roller n'iounted tamer said top and bottom bearing members andmovable with respect thereto, saidytop andbottom bearing); nlembknrsharin extensions. at their.

L C. i

sides, and rocker members located at thecepposits ends of the roller. 1n confined relation thereto and engag ng said extens ons.

7. In combination with a body bolster bar, ing' depending side bearing elomei s, a truck bolster provided near each elidlwitb a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing assembly within each pocket comprising a bottom bearlng member mounted dtor rocking morement on the bottom of the pocket hmgitudi nally oi the truck, a top bearing member having a socket receiving the depending side bearing elementon the body bolster, a roller mounted between said top and bottrnn bearing members and movable with respect thereto, said top and bottom bearing members having extensions at their sides, andrz her members located at the opposite ends of the roller and confined thereto and engaging said extensions, the rocker members being notched for the reception of the extmrsions of a body bolster, and guide 1ineans. within the pocket at oppositesidcs thereof emu-tine livith the bottom bearing D'lQITllJQEL.

9. A truck bolster provided near each end llltl with a pocket and provided at the bottom of eachpocket with a socket, a bearing ebniunit within the socket, and a load sustaining side bearing assembly including a bottom bearing; member having a partially cylmdrieal projection roclrably mounted on SliHl bearinp element for lateral, movement, a roller upon the bottom bearing member, a top hearing member upon the roller adapted to support the depending side bearin relen'ient of abody bolster and having a supporting suriface of a partially cylindrical contour,

I and gru' means withinthe pocket at oppositesid thereof coacting with the bottom luaaring member, saidguide means being formed as webs having arcuate confronting edges con centric with the coariingi projections oi" said .bca ring. element.

l0. Inatcar truck, the combination with a bodybolster having a center plate. anr. rile bearing elements thereon, of a truck bolster .haying a center bearing with lateral clearance for said center plateito permit lateral f motion of the body bolster, the truck bol baring a pocket near each end, a load sustaining side bearing ,assembly within each pocket comprising top and; botton'i member and an interposed traveling,roller,the bot tommember baring a lower curved bearing,

surface and the top member having a curved bearing surface for the depending side bearing element of the bolster, the centers of curvature of said curved surfaces being eccentric whereby to exert a lifting action on the body bolster upon the occurrence of lateral motion.

11. in combination, a body bolster having depending side bearing elements, a truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket, and a load sustaining side bearing assembly mounted within each pocket and including top and bottom members with a traveling roller interposed between them, the bottom member having a cylindrical surface bearing 'upon the bottom of the pocket and the top member having a cylindrical surface hearing against the depending; side bearing element carried by the body bolster, the centers of curvature of said curved surfaces being on lines transverse with respect to the bolsters and out of coincidence whereby to exert a lifting action upon the body bolster upon the occurrence of lateral motion thereof.

12. A truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing; assembly mounted within each pocket and including a bottom bearing member mounted for rocking movement longitudinally of the bolster, a top bearing: member adapted to engage the depending side bearing element of a body bolster and confined with respect thereto for movement therewith, a roller interposed between and movable with respect to said top and bottom bearing members, and means carried by the roller and operatively engaging the top and bottom bearing members beyond the areas of contact therewith with the roller.

13. A truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing assembly mounted within each pocket and including a bottom bearing member mounted for rocking movement longitudinally of the bolster, a top bearing member adapted to engage the depending side bearing element of a body bolster and confined with respect thereto for movement therewith, a roller interposed between and movable with respect to said top and bottom bearing members, and means carried by the roller and operativ'ely engaging the top and bottom hearing members beyond the areas of contact therewith with the roller and acting to effect movement thereof in opposite directions with respect to the roller upon the occur rence of relative swivelling movement of the truck and body bolsters.

I l. A truck bolster provided near each end with a pocket, a load sustaining side bearing THOMAS H. SYMINGTON. 

